All aboard the Bandwagon - Sax's blog
12 July 2013
With the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival up and running the disappointing results of last weekend will have soon been forgotten. The game last Friday night against Somerset was a belter, the wicket was flat, the ball accelerated across the outfield and there was a fantastic crowd in at Taunton. Both sides provided an exhibition with nearly 400 runs scored across the two and a half hours. Unfortunately we came away the wrong side of the result but there was nothing to be ashamed of. Sunday’s fixture saw us travel to Worcestershire and I managed to jump in for a ride, there was an all-day breakfast served at lunch so I decided to climb right in. Our batters however were not able to do the same on a slow wicket and we ambled to 119 for 9. It proved to be well below par as they returned the beating by reaching the target in just over 15 overs.
On a more positive note it was a fantastic weekend for British sport. I do have to question the British bandwagon here however. The Welsh Lions had their first series win for 16 years, a Scotsman won the tennis and a Kenyan retained the yellow jersey in the Tour de France; all currently ruling the waves, all currently British. Yet if they are ever defeated the same British tag soon gets dropped and their country’s name is written in slander across the papers. It’s not right that we glory support; be proud of your own country, be patriotic and do not jump on others celebrations. However we did beat Australia 2-1 in the rugby, we did win Wimbledon, and over the weekend we were wearing the yellow jersey. I belong to the empire, I am British.
After the up and downs of the weekend I settled back into the office on Monday morning only to be greeted by a mountain of laminating. Comments: Laboriously boring. Spirits were high however as the weather is forecast for a perfect Cheltenham. It was a little frantic though; T minus 2 days. The players were in for a quick fielding session to make sure the catching was sharp going back into red ball cricket; they also had to get a fitness session done to make sure that they are ready for playing 11 out of 12 days. Trust me, it’s a slog. However the stunning surroundings and the big crowds make it all worthwhile.
I was back in the office on Tuesday trying to get as much done as possible before we headed up to Cheltenham. Marquee signs, table plans, and menus all had to be completed. I’m sure that people will end up in the right place with the right meals! The menus sound fantastic. The lads made the trip up the road to net up at the college ground before the game started against Kent.
Wednesday. Match day. Kent had arrived with a side full of internationals; Key, Nash, Jones, Tredwell and Phillander. Our boys warmed up well and they all looked set and focused for the opening day of the festival. Kent were in the field and at close of play The Gloucesters were at 348 for 3; a terrific day with Chris Dent making a career best 153 and Alex Gidman 145 not out. I was on my best behaviour looking after the corporate tents, giving speeches to convince people to buy raffle tickets, donations made going to The Linc Charity and towards our academy. I did manage to sip my way through a few champagnes during the media reception at close of play though. Whoops. The Bristol Pavilion promotional video also went live. Please feel free to watch the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87h3d3YG9pY
Alex Gidman was star of the show yesterday with a magnificent 211, eventually run out. I spoke to him after he had time to cool down, he described his change of pace half way down the wicket when the run got tight as ‘non-existent’. Who can blame him; seven and a half hours at the crease. Hamish Marshall also showed his class on a wicket that’s not really aiding the bowler, scoring a fluent 106. When the boys eventually took the field there was a feeling of inevitability; Kent 165 for 2 overnight.
Today is day 3, the sun is still beating down and the college ground looks a picture. There is plenty of cricket to play so if you are in the area get down and support. Get on the Gloucestershire bandwagon, the boys are playing well. There is also an excitement in the camp caused by the spectacle of t20 at Cheltenham; especially knowing we have to win the games here to stay in the competition. There are still plenty of tickets available. Snap yours up. Support the boys.
